Machine for making combs



C. E. WING AND H. SCHELHAMMER.

MACHINE FOR MAKINGCOMBS.

APPLlCATIpN FILED APR. 22, 192i.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented July 25, 1922.

1k i #P HEEmEm I II C. E. WING AND H. SCHELHAMIVIER.

MACHINE FOR MAKING COMBS.

APPLICATION FFLED APR.22,1921.

Patented July 25, 1922.

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

avwewboug/ E. WING AND H. SCHELHAMMER. I MACHINE FOR MAKING COMBS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1921.

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CLAUDE-E. WING, or COLLEGE POINT, AND HERMAN SCHELHAMM'ER, or WI-IITE- STONE LANDING, NEW YORK,- ASSIGNORS T0 AMERICAN HARD RUBBER 00., r or New YoRK, N. Y., A ooRroRArioN or NEW YoRK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING COMES.

of New York, both citizens of the United States, have jointly invented new and use ful Machines for Making 'Combs, of which thefollowing is a description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertainsto make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines for making combs, and the objects of the invention are to provide a machine for cutting or sawingthe molded teeth of a comb in an economical manner that is automatic in operation.

To the accomplishment of the above ob jects and to such others as may hereinafter the invention comprises means whereby a comb blank in which is molded both coarse and fine teeth may be cut simul taneously, or acomb blank in which is molded all coarse teeth or all fine teeth may also be'cut simultaneously by a pair of cutters automatically controlled by suitable mechanism.

Further objects of ,the invention are to provide means whereby the cutters are given automatic forward and backward oscillatory cutting movement in a plane at right angles to the comb blank, and progressive step feed movements longitudinally of, or parallel with, the comb blank. the inventionare to provide means for bracing the comparatively thin fine tooth cutter against lateral bending at the beginning of the cutting operation to produce a uniform straight initial cut.

The invention is now to be described with reference to the accompanying drawings whichvform part of this specification and in which similar reference characters are em- "ployed to indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which F gure 1 1s a front elevation of the mproved comb cutting machine with parts omitted for clearness of illustration.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section taken on the line of 22 of Figure 1.

Fi re 3 is a horizontal section taken on the 11ne33 of Figure 1.

' the cut.

Further objects of Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 25 1322 Application filed April 22, 1921. Serial No. 463,708.

Figure 4 is a detail of the-comb clamp in its support.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary face view of the comb clamp looking in the direction of the arrow 5 of Figure 4. v I

Figure 6 is a detail elevation of a feed cam and associated parts.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the fine tooth cutter and its associated parts showing the position assumed at the beginningof Figure 8 is a -view' similar to Figure 7 with the parts in the the end of the cut.

Figure 9 is a. detail of a 8 on an enlarged scale. s

Figure 10 is a sectionaldetailon the line 1010 of Figure 5. i I

In the drawings, 1 designates a bed plate to which is bolted a frame 2 formed with bearings?) for a drive shaft 4 on which is carried a pair of pinions 5 meshing with large gears 6 on stud pins 7. Other but position assumed at portion of Figure smaller gears 8 are fast to androtatable with the gears 6 and are in mesh with large gears 9 carried on cam shafts 10 journaled at one end in the frame 2 and at the other end in a standard bearing 11.

Loosely suspended on the shaft 4 are cutter frames 12 and 13 which carry respectively a fine tooth cutter 14 and a coarse tooth cutter 15 fixed to rotatable shafts l6 and 17, driven respectively by means of sprockets 18 and 19, through the mediumof chains 20 and 21 connected to drive sprockets 22 and 23 splined to the shaft 4 and confined in forks 24c of the cutterframes 12 and 13.

The cutter frames 12 and 13 are provided with rearwardly directed arms 25 having midway of their length fixed nuts 26 provided with parallel threads which mesh with threaded cams 27 the same being held in engagement by weights (not shown) suspended on links 28 carried on the rear ends of the arms 25.

As the cams 27 act to oscillate the cutters 14 and 15 to cut the" comb teeth, means are provided for automatically stopping the oscillatory movement of the cutters after the last tooth has been cut in the comb blank,

the same-"comprising hooks 29 on the arms 25 which when the cutters are oscillated rearwardly after the last tooth has been cut by the action of the earns 27, which also act to move the cutters laterally, to thereby engageadjustable trip fingers 30 which act to automatically stop the oscillatory movements of the cutters, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

To accurately regulate the forward, oscillatory limit of the cutters to thereby predetermine the length of the teeth. of the comb blank there is provided on the cutter frames 12 and 13 adjustable. pins 51, which at the extreme inner limit of the cut, contact with stop plates 32 bolted to the top of. the frame 2.

In order to oscillate the cutters 14 and 1, the cams 27' are made ellipsoidal, the threads thereon being parallel with the sides except at the high point 33 where they incline to one side the width of one thread, so that, in the present instance, at each revolution of the cams 27, the cutter frames are moved along the shaft 4, one step, and owing to their peripheral contour oscillate the cutter frames 12 and 13, as before described, positively in one direction and permit of their oscillation in the reverse direction bythe weights hereinbefore referred to.

It is of course to be understood that the lateral. feeding movement of the cutter top for trunnions 37. of a comb clamp38- holding, in the present instance, a pair of comb blanks 39. As the comb clamp forms no part of the presentinvention it will not be further described. The clamp frame 34 I may be adjusted with respect to the cutters by a screw 40 swiveled in a cross bar 41 and threaded through a lug 42 on the clamp base 35.

In the molding of comb blanks more stock is left in the web portions between the coarse teeth than between the web portions of the fine teeth, and as it is necessary to cut a few fine teeth in order to provide clearance for the coarse tooth cutter before it can be positioned, it is desirable to brace the fine tooth cutter when the initial fine tooth cut is made as there is a tendency for the fine tooth cut on the arms 12 and threaded at 46 to receive a nut 47 provided with an arm 48. The yoke 43 has a pair of lugs. 49 which bear against the sides of the cutter 14 and before the-initial fine tooth cut is made the arm 48 with its nut 47 is swung down from the position shown in Figure '7 to the position shown in Figure 8 where it is held against the tension of a spring 50 by a catch 51, held in elevated position by a spring 52. The catch is pivotally mounted to the lower end of the cutter frame 12 and is provided with a tail piece 53 arranged to strike a stop 54, to trip the catch 51, tothereby release the arm 48 as the cutter frame 12 swings back out of the comb blank after the initial fine tooth out has been made. When the nut 47 is turned by moving the arm 48 into engagement with the catch 51, the threaded bar 44 and with it the yoke 43, is moved slightly to the right as seen. in Figure 1 which acts to bend the cutter 14 slightly to the right and in this position the cutter 14 enters the comb blank for the initial fine tooth cut. The slight bend of the cutter compensates for the greater resistance of the comb stock adjacent the coarse teeth resulting in a straightinitial fine tooth out; after which, as above de scribed, the arm 48 is released by the catch 51, and the yoke 43 is returned to normal position by the spring 50, the nut 47 acting to draw the yoke 43 to the left, permitting the cutter 14 to spring back to normal straight position. 7

When, as in the present instance, two comb blanks 39 are inserted in the clamp 38 it is essential to have them in perfect registration or alignment, so that the teeth of the two comb blanks are directly opposite. In order to accomplish the alignment of the teeth, a gauge pin 56 is provided, slidably mounted in a bracket 57, on an arm 58 carried ononc of the standards 36, the gauge pin 56 being arranged to enter the groove between the first and second teeth of each comb before being clamped in position, as shown in Figures 5 and 10. After the clamp 38 has been tightened the gauge pin 56 is removed and the clamp 38 returned to normal operative position, as shown in.

Figure 2.

The cutters are guided asthey cut the webs between the teeth of the comb blanks by means of a guide pin 59. adjustably carried in a holder 60, pivoted at 61 to an adjustable bracket arm 62, carried on a guide frame 63 loosely mounted on a'bolt 64 secured to the cutter frame. The guide frame 63 has a shoulder 65 and a lug 66 threaded to receive a stop screw 6? locked in adjusted position by a nut- 68. A spring 69 fastened to the lug 66 and to the cutter frame, acts to hold the screw 67 againsta stop 70, carried on an extension 71 of the cutter frame.

. The above construction provides yielding supports for the guide pins 59 so that they' canadjust themselves to varying depths of grooves between the comb blank teeth, and

also permits .the guide pins 59 to ride up over the teeth and down into the adjacent grooves as the cutters are moved along the face er the comb by the action of the cams 27. The noses of the guide pins 59 follow up the bottom of the groove next adjacent the one being cut .ancl effectively hold the cutters and the cutter frames against vibration or sideplay.

The cutter frames 1.2 and 13 are provided with suitable handles 76 by means of which the cutter frames and associated parts can be moved along the shaft 4 in either direction.

In the operationof the machine the cutter frames 12 and 18 are movedto the ends of the machine on the shaft 4: and the comb blanks placed in the clamp which is then turned up into the position shown in Fig. 4:, the pin 56 being inserted between the comb blanks to properly align them,]after which a suitable clamp screw 7'7 is operated to lock the clamp. The pin 56 is then raised from between the comb blanks and the clamp is turned down to operative normal position, as shown in Figure 2. The cutter frame 12 carrying the fine tooth cutter is thenbrought over from the leftof the machine to a point where the guide pin 59 enters the second fine tooth groove from the centre of the comb blank. The machine is then started, and after about five teeth have been cut, the machine is preferably stopped and the cutter frame 13, carrying the coarse tooth cutter is brought over from the right. to a point where the guide pin 59 will enter the second coarse tooth groove from the centre of the comb blank, and the machine is again started, after which the operations are automatic.

While the invention has been described with reference to cutting on the same comb blank both fine and coarse teeth, the machine is equally applicable to being used to cut comb blanks having either all fine teeth or all coarse teeth.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to the details of construction the same is not to be considered as limited thereto, as many changes can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.

What we claim is 1. A comb cutting machine comprising in combination a plurality of revoluble cutters, means for oscillating said cutters, and means for feeding said cutters simultaneously in opposite directions longitudinally of said machine. I

2. A comb cutting machine comprising in combination a plurality of cutters, a comb clamp for holding a comb blank, means for oscillating said cutters toward and away from said comb blank, means for feeding said cutters simultaneously in opposite directions across the face of said comb blank, and means for stopping the operation of said cutters when the comb is complete.

3. A. comb cutting machine comprising in combination a rotary cutter, a comb clamp for holding a comb blank, means for oscil lating said cutter. toward and away from said comb blank, meansfor feeding saidcutter across the face ofsaid comb blank, and

means for bending'the cutter'to compensate for side thrust on the initial cut;

4. A. comb cutting machine comprising in'85 combination a fine cutter and a coarse cutter, a comb clamp for holding a comb blank having fine and coarse teeth, means for oscillating said cutters toward and away from said comb blank, means for feeding said cutters across the face of said comb blank, -'.and means for bendingthefine cutter'to compensate for side thrust on'theinitial cut.

5. A comb cutting machine comprising in combination a rotary cutter, a combclamp for holding two comb blanks, means'for pivotally supporting said comb clamp, a gauge pin to register said comb blanks one with the other, and means for supporting said gauge pin above said comb clamp.

6. A comb cutting machine comprising in combination a 7 comb clamp for holding a comb blank, a cutter frame, a cutter rotatably mounted on said cutter frame, means for oscillating said cutter frame and with it said cutter toward and away from said comb blank, and a yoke engaging the side of the cutter, and means for causing the yoke to bend the cutter to compensate for side thrust during the initial cut.

7. A comb cutting machine comprising in combination a comb clamp for holding a comb blank, a cutter frame, a cutter rotatably mounted on said cutter frame, means for oscillating said cutter frame and with it said cutter toward and away from said comb blank, a yoke engaging the side of the cutter, means for causing the yoke to bend the cutter to compensate for side thrust during the initial cut, and means for releasing the yoke after the initial out has been made.

8. A comb cutting machine comprising in combination a comb clamp for holding a comb blank, a plurality of cutter frames, cutters rotatably mounted on said cutter frames, means for oscillating said cutter frames and said cutters toward and away from said comb blank, means for giving said cutters progressive step movements across the face of the comb blank, and adjustable means on said cutter frames to regulate the limit of cutting movement of said cutters.

9. A comb cutting machine comprising in combination a comb clamp .for holding a comb blank, a plurality of cutter frames, cutters rotatably mounted on said cutter frames, means for oscillating said cutter frames and said cutters toward and away from said comb blank, means for giving said cutters progressive step movements across the face of the comb blank, a yoke engaging the sides of one cutter, and means for causing the yoke to bend the cutter to compensate for side thrust during the initial cut.

10. A comb cutting machine comprising in combination a comb clamp for holding a comb blank, a plurality of cutter frames, cutters rotatably mounted on said cutter frames, means for oscillating, said cutter frames and said cutters toward and away from said comb blank, means for giving said cutters progressive step movements across. the face of the comb blank, a yoke engaging the sides of one cutter, means for causing the yoke to bend the cutter to compensate for side thrust during the initial cut, and means for releasing the yoke after the initial cut has been made.

11. In a comb cutting machine, the combination of a rotary cutter, means for oscillating said cutter and for feeding said cutter longitudinally of said machine, and adjustable means for limiting the inward oscillatory movement of said cutters.

12-. A comb cutting machine comprising a swingable comb clamp for holding a pair of comb blanks, means for aligning said blanks comprising an adjustable pin adapted to en ter one of the grooves in said blank when said clamp and said blanks are brought into aligning position, and means for simultaneously cutting teeth in said. blanks, after alignment.

13. In a comb cutting machine for cutting teeth in comb blanks having molded grooves therein, revoluble cutters for sawing said teeth, and means for guiding said cutters comprising an adjustable finger adapted to engage that groove of said blank adjacent 

